If you’ve ever wanted to believe in magic or experience a world where anything is possible, Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley is the perfect novel for you. This enchanting story of love, family, and the power of belief is filled with mystery and adventure, making it an unforgettable read for middle-grade students and adults alike. Fans of Peter Pan and The Night Circus will find themselves captivated by the whimsical world of Circus Mirandus. #novelstudy
Fast Facts About the Book
Title: Circus Mirandus
Author: Cassie Beasley
Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy
Age Range: 8-12 years
Number of Pages: 292
Publication Year: 2015
Themes: Magic, Friendship, Belief, Hope, Family
Meet the Author: Cassie Beasley
Cassie Beasley is an American author known for her enchanting middle-grade novels that blend fantasy with heartfelt themes. Growing up in a small Georgia town, Beasley developed a deep love for storytelling and imagination, which shines through in her work. Her debut novel, Circus Mirandus, captivated readers with its magical world of circus wonders and the power of belief and friendship, earning her critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. She followed this success with Tumble & Blue, a Southern fantasy about family, friendship, and breaking curses. Beasley’s writing is celebrated for its unique blend of wonder, humor, and emotion, appealing to young readers and adults alike. When she’s not writing, Beasley enjoys visiting schools and connecting with her readers, often inspiring them to find the magic in their own lives. #cassiebeasley
Novel Overview
In Circus Mirandus, young Micah Tuttle is faced with a heart-wrenching challenge: his grandfather Ephraim, who raised him and shared endless stories about a magical circus, is gravely ill. But Ephraim once met The Lightbender, a powerful magician at Circus Mirandus, who promised him a miracle. With his grandfather’s health failing, Micah sets out to find Circus Mirandus and claim this miracle in hopes of saving him. Along the way, he discovers that sometimes the most extraordinary things are those we can’t always see. #circusmirandus
Chasing Chapters: Plot Summary
Micah has always believed in the stories his grandfather Ephraim told him about Circus Mirandus, a mysterious, magical place filled with wonders and extraordinary people. But now that Ephraim is sick, Micah realizes that the circus might be his last hope for saving him. Together with his skeptical friend Jenny, Micah embarks on a journey to find Circus Mirandus and ask The Lightbender to honor the miracle promised to his grandfather years ago. Along the way, Micah learns the importance of friendship, bravery, and the enduring power of magic—even when it feels out of reach. #bookclub
Share Circus Mirandus comprehension questions and 1-sentence summaries of every chapter with your class. #comprehensionquestions
Educational Value
Circus Mirandus is more than just a story about a magical circus. It provides an excellent foundation for discussing themes like hope, resilience, and the impact of family. This novel encourages students to think deeply about the ways belief and imagination shape our lives and how, even in the face of hardship, love can be a powerful force.
With its themes of family loyalty and the strength of belief, Circus Mirandus is perfect for social-emotional learning (SEL), especially in helping students reflect on the concept of miracles—both real and imagined. Micah’s journey allows readers to explore how hope can help them face their own struggles, inspiring thoughtful discussions on courage and the magic we can find within ourselves. #socialemotionallearning
Classroom Activities to Try
Writing Prompt: Write about a time you believed in something that others didn’t understand. How did it make you feel, and what did you learn from it?
Discussion Questions:
How does Micah’s belief in Circus Mirandus help him during difficult times?
What role does The Lightbender play in Ephraim’s life and Micah’s journey?
How do the experiences at Circus Mirandus change Jenny’s perspective on magic and belief?
Class Project: Have students create their own magical circus, inspired by the wonders of Circus Mirandus. They can design a poster or brochure that includes details about magical acts and performers they imagine would be part of their circus. This activity combines creativity with narrative development, encouraging students to consider how their own circus would inspire awe.
Extension Activities
Friendship Journals: In Circus Mirandus, Micah learns valuable lessons about loyalty and friendship. Have students keep a “Friendship Journal” for a week, where they write about acts of kindness or ways they showed loyalty to their friends. This can help them reflect on the qualities that make friendships meaningful and encourage them to think about the role they play in their relationships.
Family Legacy Interview Project: Since Ephraim’s stories and love shape Micah’s life, ask students to interview a family member or guardian about meaningful stories from their past. Students can share these stories in class or create a family “Legacy Book” to keep as a memory. This activity fosters an appreciation for family and the unique experiences that shape who they are.
Hope Tree Activity: Micah holds onto hope, even when things seem bleak. Create a “Hope Tree” in the classroom by having each student write down one hope or wish they have for themselves, their family, or the world. These wishes can be attached to a tree poster, serving as a reminder that hope and belief are powerful tools in facing challenges.
Find more extension activities, like a reading passage and comprehension questions about Inca quipus, in my Circus Mirandus resource.
Did you know? Cassie Beasley was inspired by her own love of fantasy and magical realism to write Circus Mirandus, wanting to create a world that was filled with wonder and possibility.
The character of Ephraim Tuttle was partially inspired by Cassie Beasley’s grandfather, whose stories and warmth stayed with her throughout her life.
Page-Turning Puzzles: Novel Trivia
How closely have you read the text in g's novel I? Can you remember tiny details to answer the trivia questions below? #noveltrivia
How old is Micah?
What type of fruit does Ephraim eat at Circus Mirandus?
What name does Mr. Head suggest the Lightbender should be called?
In which country did quipus originate?
What color is Bibi’s fur (the tiger)?
What does Roesbud call Micah?
Find the answers to these trivia questions inside this Circus Mirandus resource.
Hear about this Circus Mirandus Book Study from educators like you!
⭐️ “This resource is AMAZING! Differentiate in every way possible. I love the sample responses and my students love coloring the stickers to add to their collections.”
⭐️ “I love Circus Mirandus and these worksheets were the perfect companion to the book. I can’t wait to purchase another novel study from MB Creations!”
⭐️ “I am blown away by this amazing resource! It is SO COMPLETE! I didn’t have to add anything extra. I printed the workbooks and assessments and we had an amazing book study.”
Use this Circus Mirandus Novel Study in so many ways!
✅ Differentiate to meet the needs of all learners in your book club. Gifted students can complete projects about the novel as they read. Language learners can benefit from the character traits page with pictures and descriptions.
✅ Assign comprehension worksheets to students for homework. Have them take notes and come prepared to discuss this chapter book in class.
✅ Invite students to read Circus Mirandus in small groups and complete these worksheets and discussion activities together.
Find answers to your questions about this Circus Mirandus Book Study:
✋ What is Circus Mirandus?
This realistic fictional chapter book, written by Cassie Beasley, tells of a boy and his grandfather who love magic and are searching for a miracle. It is written for grades 3-7 with a Lexile level of 710.
✋ What exactly is included?
Check out the preview! The detailed table of contents can help answer your questions about this book study.
✋ Why should I use this resource?
2-in-1 deal: This resource includes pages specific to the book, Circus Mirandus, as well as ALL the pages in my "Novel Study for Any Book" resource.
Students will be able to write and discuss facts about the author, novel, plot, setting, characters, and theme. You can edit the projects and discussion pages on PowerPoint and assign all worksheets digitally if you choose. Students will have fun collecting stickers when they finish projects related to the book and you can grade all worksheets with the answer keys and sample responses!
Keep the Magic Alive
If Circus Mirandus leaves you enchanted, explore other books about wonder and courage, such as The Elephant's Girl by Celesta Rimington and A Tangle of Knots by Lisa Graff. These books celebrate the power of imagination and the courage to face life’s obstacles, making them perfect companions for anyone who believes in magic.
Circus Mirandus is a spellbinding story that reminds readers of the importance of love, belief, and a little bit of magic. It’s ideal for classroom discussions and creative projects that inspire students to dream big, hope fiercely, and find the magic that exists within their own lives.